Haywood man accused of rape, kidnapping in custody

James Wesley Pentz, 31, faces charges of aggravated kidnapping, aggravated rape and aggravated assault after allegedly holding a woman against her will in a Haywood County residence for several days.(Photo: Submitted)

A Haywood man accused of holding a woman inside a house against her will and raping her turned himself in to authorities Thursday.

A woman at Baptist-Tipton Hospital reported assault to the Haywood County Sheriff's Office on Tuesday after escaping a residence, where she said she had been held for several days, according to a news release.

James Wesley Pentz, 31, allegedly held the woman against her will, raped her and continuously physically assaulted her while ingesting crack cocaine, the release stated. The woman was only able to escape after offering to obtain marijuana for Pentz.

She suffered serious injuries and bruising all over her body during the ordeal, according to the release.

Pentz is charged with aggravated kidnapping, aggravated rape and aggravated assault and will be held without bond pending his arraignment, which has not yet been set.

The investigation is ongoing, according to the release.

Reach Cassandra Stephenson at ckstephens@jacksonsun.com or at (731) 694-7261. Follow Cassandra on Twitter at @CStephenson731.

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